More Controversy In Ulster As Jono Gibbes’ Plans To ‘Go Home’ Take A Twist

Well then.

Ulster head coach Jono Gibbes revealed back in March that he would be leaving the northern province at the end of the current season to return home to New Zealand.

The former Leinster and Clermont coach said after being away from his home for the last ten years, he will be returning at the end of the season “for family reasons.”

“Being a long way from home for the last ten years has made me prioritise things above my career and so I’ll be returning at the end of this season for family reasons.” Gibbes said.

Just days later Gibbes was confirmed as the new head coach of provincial New Zealand side, Waikato, the club who he captained in his playing days and represented 64 times between 2000 and 2007.

All well and good – and fair enough. But now things have taken a twist. Reports in France say Gibbes is scheduled to be in France today to meet the La Rochelle owners about succeeding Patrice Collazo.

First of all, if true – looks like Gibbes is not leaving Ulster for “family reasons” as many of us suspected. Second of all – Ulster’s most important game of the season takes place this Sunday, with the northern province set to take on Ospreys in a play-off for a spot in next season’s Champions Cup…

And yet Gibbes is supposedly in France interviewing for a job? Take what you want from that.